At least two lionesses are reported to have late Thursday left the park, spread over 117 square kilometres where buffalo and rhino roam just seven kilometres from the bustling high-rise city centre.

It is not the first time lions have prowled into Nairobi.

The big cats find themselves under growing pressure as one of Africa’s fastest growing

cities creeps onto ancient migration routes and hunting grounds.

"These are highly populated areas and that is why we are intensifying the search," Udoto said. "Anyone with information about them should share with us immediately." Udoto said two lionesses were last sighted around Nairobi’s Langata district.